Roxas places cops on full alert

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippins—Interior Secretary Mar Roxas on Wednesday placed the 148,000-strong Philippine National Police force on full alert as millions of Filipinos flock to cemeteries to mark All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Roxas also instructed governors and mayors to convene their respective peace and order councils to map out security plans for the long holiday weekend. He said policemen, barangay (village) watchmen and medical personnel should be deployed to cemeteries to ensure the safety of the people and provide public service.

Roxas said the police must secure the airports, seaports, bus terminals and other terminals. “The local PNP units should be on guard in critical areas to prevent the entry of lawless elements and to apprehend individuals violating laws to ensure the safe observance of Undas 2013,” he said.—Marlon Ramos